The Cell C Sharks travel to Pretoria this week for Saturday afternoon’s return leg Currie Cup clash with the Vodacom Blue Bulls in a game that comes at an important juncture in the season.
Last week’s 24-6 success over Windhoek Draught Griquas at Hollywoodbets Kings Park made it consecutive victories for the Cell C Sharks and Currie Cup head coach Joey Mongalo admitted that there were conflicting emotions around a game where the performance wasn’t quite up to standard, but still produced a pleasing result.
“We hadn’t had back-to-back victories before this, so we’re very thankful for that,” Mongalo said.
“But the guys acknowledged that we didn’t play to our standards – and we set quite high standards for ourselves – I almost didn’t recognise us in the first half because it was loose and that’s not us. So it was a bit frustrating because we are more structured, but there is character being shown in this group, and even though we didn’t play well, the scoreboard was still in our favour which means we’re doing something right.”
Having conceded only two penalties and keeping their tryline intact, the Cell C Sharks showed remarkable resilience and it is this kind of defence that the coach will be looking for again.
“Griquas are quite an attacking threat, they scored six tries against us in the first round, and we made that personal. Defence is about guys fighting and feeling for each other, who want to achieve something and I must compliment them for fighting for each other and for the cause.”
Having lost narrowly to the Bulls in their first round meeting, there will certainly be plenty of motivation for this Cell C Sharks side looking to maintain their run in the competition.
The Cell C Sharks team shows XX changes for this week’s outing, Dan Jooste getting a start at hooker, the only player movement amongst the pack, while Tiaan Fourie comes in for Bradley Davids at scrumhalf, Murray Koster takes over from Joshua Jonas at outside centre and Marnus Potgieter’s call-up to the URC team opens the door for the return of Phikolomzi Sobahle on the wing.
Cell C Sharks
1. Khwezi Mona
2. Dan Jooste
3. Khutha Mchunu
4. Ockie Barnard
5. Reniel Hugo (c)
6. Tinotenda Mavesere
7. Thembelani Bholi
8. Henco Venter
9. Tiaan Fourie
10. Lionel Cronje
11. Yaw Penxe
12. Alwayno Visagie
13. Murray Koster
14. Phikolomzi Sobahle
15. Thaakir Abrahams
Replacements
16. Dameon Venter
17. Dian Bleuler
18. Wiehahn Herbst
19. Marco de Witt
20. Damon Royle
21. Mpilo Gumede
22. Zee Mkhabela
23. Fred Zeilinga
The post Physical Derby Time appeared first on The Sharks.
The Cell C Sharks take on Leinster in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-finals at Aviva Stadium on Saturday with the tournament heading towards its climax.
Cell C Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell has had his hand forced in naming a changed line-up following the loss of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and flyhalf Curwin Bosch who sustained injuries in the final pool game against Munster at Hollywoodbets Kings Park a fortnight ago. Lukhanyo Am takes over the captaincy in Kolisi’s absence.
James Venter replaces Kolisi, while Boeta Chamberlain moves from fullback to flyhalf to accommodate the loss of Bosch, with Aphelele Fassi starting at fullback.
In other changes, after a string of impressive performances in the Currie Cup recently ,Corne Rahl returns to the side, having made his VURC debut earlier in the season against Connacht, the 20-year old is in for Jeandre Labuschagne who plays off the bench, while Marnus Potgieter replaces Werner Kok on the wing.
With Leinster having clinched top spot and enjoying home ground advantage, they come into this game as favourites, which is not something that really bothers Cell C Sharks lock Gerbrandt Grobler.
“No-one gives us a chance, and that’s OK, we have a job to do and we believe in it, because if you don’t believe it, you can’t achieve it,” he explained from the team’s base in Dublin. “We have nothing to lose and we’ll be throwing everything into it.”
He is equally philosophical about his team’s underdog status, saying: “What do you do, no-one gives you a chance, your back is against the wall, we’ll be going for it, why not believe? Anything can happen on the day: the bounce of the ball, a decision that goes your way, we’re going out there to give our best and enjoy ourselves.”
Cell C Sharks
- Ox Nche
- Bongi Mbonambi
- Thomas du Toit
- Corne Rahl
- Gerbrandt Grobler
- James Venter
- Vincent Tshituka
- Sikhumbuzo Notshe
- Grant Williams
- Boeta Chamberlain
- Makazole Mapimpi
- Ben Tapuai
- Lukhanyo Am (c)
- Marnus Potgieter
- Aphelele Fassi
Replacements
- Fez Mbatha
- Ntuthuko Mchunu
- Carlu Sadie
- Jeandre Labuschagne
- Phepsi Buthelezi
- Cameron Wright
- Nevaldo Fleurs
- Rohan Janse van Rensburg
The post Knock-out Rugby appeared first on The Sharks.
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Quick Durban KwaZulu-Natal Fact: KwaZulu-Natal borders the following areas of Mozambique, Swaziland, and Lesotho: Maputo Province, Mozambique – far northeast; Lubombo District, Swaziland – northeast, east of Shiselweni; Shiselweni District, Swaziland – northeast, west of Lubombo; Mokhotlong District, Lesotho – southwest, north of Thaba-Tseka; Thaba-Tseka District, Lesotho – southwest, between Mokhotlong and Qacha’s Nek; Qacha’s Nek District, Lesotho – southwest, south of Thaba-Tseka. Domestically, it borders the following provinces: Mpumalanga – north; Free State – west; Eastern Cape – southwest.
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